Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint Mark.
Listen to David speak to this gospel.
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Ordinary 33, Sunday, 17th Nov 2024
MAY the words of my mouth and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
I closed my message last week saying that “The riches of poverty” takes us to a place where:
there are no guarantees and certainty of what the future will look like – - - ONLY HOPE.
• where there are no definite answers – ONLY FAITH.
where there is no guaranteed security – ONLY LOVE.
When we start to become unsettled by these ‘uncertainties’, Mark tells us in his gospel this week (Mark 13:1-8) “do not be alarmed”.
In a sermon often called “The Olivet Discourse” (because He was speaking while He was on the Mount of Olives), Jesus gave the disciples and us a look into the future. Jesus focused attention on preparedness, readiness to suffer, and trust in Him - not others who claim to be Him. Christ also talks about wars and rumours of wars and how they will escalate in number or intensity or both. These conflicts will involve both nation states and ethnic groups. Natural disasters will gain more worldwide attention … BUT … “do not be alarmed.
When our world is full of uncertainty about the future; when we feel the world is falling apart, God is not through with us - not by a long shot! Jesus reminds us not to create treasures here on earth. We must create treasures in heaven. Things that we think are permanent in our lives are only temporary. Earthly things are temporary. They can be taken away.
As Jesus says, “Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”
Our journey through life is short. We are travellers passing through. Our true home is in heaven and our true wealth is in knowing Jesus’ love and care for each of us. <PAUSE>
God’s answer to trouble is trust. He wants us to trust him in times of trouble, especially as the Second Coming draw closer. Faith is the link between heaven and earth. This world is a place where our faith will be refined and where our hope will rest on our future heavenly home-one that will never perish or be destroyed. God is up to stuff that is beyond our ability to understand. Our job is to be alert for it.
This passage from Mark’s Gospel was not meant to make us worry about the future. It was written to offer comfort to first century believers who were struggling to make sense of their world and their lives. We have the same struggles, so this passage gives us comfort as well in our troubled, divided, turbulent world. When Jesus spoke to the disciples about the destruction of the temple, the troubles of that time, leading up to that day and of the signs that the terrible day was upon them, he was speaking to both their generation and ours.
Remember, we live in the interim between Christ’s ascension and His return, and in this interim we will experience the same circumstances that Jesus spoke to His disciples about! We too will experience false prophets, false Gods, wars and rumours of wars, natural disasters and persecution.
Jesus reminded the disciples that buildings are only stones and bricks. What really matters is what goes on inside. Life-giving waters are splashed and stories from the Bible are told - stories that are meant to give us guidance while we are on our faith journey.
We gather together, in person, in phone calls, on the internet, Via ZOOM, to bring all of our joys and concerns and thanksgivings to God.
The destruction of the temple was not the end. It was the beginning.
It was not about dismantling God. It was about new beginnings in faith.
A building may be destroyed, but the place where God dwells can’t be destroyed because God lives in Jesus and His word as well as in the hearts and minds of all Christians who live in that place I talked about earlier - that place of Hope, Faith, and Love.
The future of the people and groups who come to FaithaLight every week are a REALLY a good example of what I’m talking about.
I know that you have had many challenges during the last few years, and you have had discussions about your future.
It is my prayer that you can take comfort in the knowledge that although your physical makeup may be changing, your spiritual makeup will remain the same, especially if God lives in your hearts and minds.
Our hope, faith and love is in Christ.
We must be careful not to be deceived by world events. We must stay focused. DO NOT BE ALARMED. Instead, we must look forward to the greatest event in history - Christ’s return for His people!
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
In the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit <AMEN>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our plea is, “hear our prayer”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy : Hear our prayer.
Everlasting God as we approach the end of another Liturgical Year we look back with gratitude and thankfulness for all of the blessings You have sent our way
(LONGER pause for silent, personal reflection)
In response to the call today “Lord, in Your mercy” Our response is, “hear our prayer!”
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Holy God we pray for Your people and their roles and places within their communities. Thank you for those who have worked so hard arranging worship, fellowship, outreach and fund-raising events. Thank you for new members of our faith communities and to all who have joined us in worship from around the world.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Creator God we pray for people suffering from the effects of conflict, terrorism and persecution in all parts of Your world. For those who feel undervalued, ignored, forgotten in their work or life and for those who do not have enough of life’s basic needs, food, clothing, shelter.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Gracious God although we are sometimes separated by language and culture from the people we live amongst, we pray for them and their families and as we pray for our neighbours may they not only be mere words, but day by day, moment by moment, in action, in the things we do and the way we do them.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Loving God we pray for all who suffer in body, mind or spirit and for those who care for them. We pray for the sick; for those who mourn; for those without faith, hope or love.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Merciful God we pray to You for those whom we love, but see no longer. Give to the departed Your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in Your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the holy purpose of Your perfect will.
May all the faithful departed now rest in peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your Mercy: Hear our prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries. Make the things that we choose to do worthy of the life, death, and rising again of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Holy God we pray for ourselves; as we go out into the world. We ask that in all we do, we may we walk more closely with You at our side safe in the knowledge that Your love and care knows no bounds.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
